A mudroom serves as a practical transition space between the outdoors and your home, helping to keep dirt and clutter at bay. However, without proper organization, this area can quickly become a chaotic mess. To help you maintain a tidy and functional mudroom throughout the school year, we’ve gathered nine expert tips from professional organizers to streamline your space and keep it neat.

1. Establish Personal Drop Zones

Mudrooms often become catch-alls for bags, backpacks, and other items, leading to clutter. Create designated drop zones for each family member to keep things organized. “Assigning specific spots for backpacks and bags simplifies arrivals and departures,” says professional organizer Danica Carson, co-founder of The Uncluttered Life. Use baskets, shelves, or cubbies to ensure everyone has a place to store their belongings, preventing the mudroom from turning into a disorganized pile.

2. Assign Dedicated Spaces for Everyone (Including Pets)

Provide each person—and even pets—with their own storage area, such as a bin, basket, or shelf. “For kids, keep storage low so they can easily access and return items,” advises Jamie Hord, founder of Horderly Professional Organizing. Use lower hooks or drawers for jackets and backpacks. For pets, Carson suggests a dedicated spot for leashes and accessories, with hooks for quick grab-and-go convenience.

3. Label All Storage Areas

Labels are key to maintaining order in a shared space. Clearly mark bins, baskets, shelves, or drawers to eliminate confusion about where items belong. Hord recommends using adjustable bin clip labels, which can be updated as family needs evolve, ensuring everyone knows exactly where to place or find their items.

4. Set Up an Inbox/Outbox System

School papers, permission slips, and mail can quickly pile up. Carson recommends creating an inbox/outbox station near the door. “Place papers that need parental review or signatures in the inbox, and use the outbox for items to return to school or mail,” she explains. This system serves as a visual reminder to grab important documents on your way out, keeping paperwork organized and accessible.

5. Optimize Shoe Storage

A mudroom’s primary function is to keep dirt from entering the home, and proper shoe storage is essential. Place storage near a bench or chair for easy shoe removal. Hord suggests using labeled baskets under benches or stackable shoe shelves, while Carson recommends periodic clean-outs to move off-season shoes to bedroom closets, keeping the mudroom clutter-free.

6. Create a Returns Bin

Items like library books, borrowed clothes, or online shopping returns often accumulate. Carson advises designating a returns bin to hold these items. Regularly check the bin to ensure timely returns or exchanges, preventing missed deadlines and keeping the space tidy.

7. Install a Reminder Board with Key Hooks

To avoid forgetting essentials, Carson suggests adding a dry-erase or chalkboard with key hooks near the exit. “Jot down reminders for tasks, appointments, or activities so they’re visible as you leave,” she says. This simple addition helps everyone stay on top of their schedules and ensures keys are always within reach.

8. Maximize Every Inch of Space

Make use of all available space to enhance organization. Hord recommends utilizing often-overlooked areas, such as behind doors or inside cabinet doors. Consider over-the-door organizers for shoes, hats, gloves, or scarves to keep items accessible yet out of the way, maximizing your mudroom’s storage potential.

9. Simplify with Hooks

Hooks are a game-changer for maintaining tidiness with minimal effort. “People are more likely to hang items on hooks than store them in drawers or closets,” Carson notes. Install hooks for coats, bags, or leashes to keep items off the floor and counters, creating a clutter-free and functional space.

By implementing these nine strategies—personal drop zones, dedicated spaces, clear labels, an inbox/outbox system, smart shoe storage, a returns bin, a reminder board, maximized space, and easy-to-use hooks—you’ll keep your small mudroom organized and efficient all school year long, making it a welcoming and functional entryway for your home.